Cedar County Raceway
Riding high, Kay grabs first Corn Belt victory
Series founder Cam Granger joins Justin Kay in victory lane. (John Vass)
TIPTON, Iowa (Aug. 14) — Entering the 2013 season, Justin Kay could count off his career victories in six years of Late Model racing on one hand. Give him another hand, because now he needs another one to count the 16 victories he’s earned this season alone. | Slideshow
The 24-year-old Kay (rhymes with riding high) raced to one of his biggest victories Wednesday at his home-track Cedar County Raceway on Wednesday, earning $3,000 for his first triumph on the open-competition engine Corn Belt Clash circuit.
Starting outside the front row, Kay went around polesitter Terry Neal — the Ely, Iowa, driver piloting Kay’s backup car — and grabbed a victory in the series finale.
While Kay was taking the checkers, Chad Simpson of Mount Vernon, Iowa was wrapping up his fourth consecutive championship on the series — and seventh consecutive touring title personally — despite starting on the tail of the 24-car feature.
Simpson finished eighth while Dave Eckrich of Cosgrove, Iowa, his closest contender in the title chase, ended up 18th.
Jason Utter of Columbus Junction, Iowa, Tuesday’s series winner at Marshalltown (Iowa) Speedway, finished second at Tipton with Neat settling for a third-place finish. Third-row starters Jason Jaggers of Wyanet, Ill., and Andy Eckrich of Iowa City, Iowa, rounded out the top five finishers in a race making up a July 26 rainout.
Kay’s first-ever Corn Belt Clash victory is part of a memorable season that includes a three-race winning streak on the Deery Brothers Summer Series, eight victories overall in July and 12 overall over the last two months.
Notes: Kay’s Tyson Gheer-prepared Barry Wright Race Car has a Grove Automotive powerplant and sponsorship from Petersen Insurance, Kay Farms and Elevator and Wheatland Ag Center, JR's Place and Kay & Sons Trucking. ... Chad Simpson’s fourth Corn Belt Clash Crown follows championship seasons with the one-year United States Racing Association (2007) and World Dirt Racing League (2008-’09).
Corn Belt Clash @ Cedar County: (1) Justin Kay, (2) Jason Utter, (3) Terry Neal, (4) Jason Jaggers, (5) Andy Eckrich, (6) Chris Simpson, (7) Jake Meier, (8) Chad Simpson, (9) Matt Ryan, (10) Pete Parker, (11) Spencer Diercks, (12) Denny Eckrich, (13) Stephan Kammerer, (14) Rick Wendling, (15) Justin Mitchell, (16) Mike Fryer, (17) Darrel DeFrance, (18) Dave Eckrich, (19) Bobby Hansen, (20) Jon Rogers, (21) Lyke Zanker, (22) Doug Nigh, (23) Ray Guss Jr., (24) Nick Marolf. Heat race winners (among 24 cars): Utter, Chris Simpson, Kay. Dash winner: Neal.
Correction: Fixes Kay's season victory total to 16; correct's first name of crew chief; fixes chassis make.
